Lingerie-clasp



F. E. FORSELL.

LINGERIE CLASP. APPLICATION FILED 1AN.20. 1921.

Patented May 3, 1921.

11v VEN TOR flu; idnwdf/Jelq 6%)? A TTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANS EDWARD FORSELL, O1 PROVIDENCE. RHODE ISLAND, .ASSIGNOR TO PARKS BROS. & ROGERS, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

T 0 G whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANS EDWARD FonsnLL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Lingerie-Clasps, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Among the principal objects which th present invention has in view are: to provide a clasp of the character mentioned with fastening means easily released when desired; to provide a fastening for the said article which avoids being accidentally released; to avoid marring the delicate fabric when removed from the shoulder straps in conjunction with which they are used; to provide an enlarged opening for the fabric when entering the clasp; to prolong the useful life of the article; and to provide an article of the character mentioned which is simple and cheap of construction.

Bra/win gs.

Figure 1 is a pictorial view showing an article of the character mentioned constructed in accordance with the present invention, disposed as in service.

Fig. 2 is an edge view of a clasp constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the same.

Fig. 4 is an edge view of the same, shown in its inactive or open position.

Fig. 5 is an end view on enlarged scale showing the disposition of the lapped-locking members when the article is closed.

Fig. 6 is an edge view of a modified form of a clasp constructed in accordance with the modified form of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a top View of the same.

Fig. 8 is an end view on enlarged scale showing the disposition of the lapped or locking members of the modified form of the article.

Description.

Heretofore lingerie clasps have been made which provide overturned ends for mutual engagement. To disengage these ends it is necessary to swing the side members of the article laterally until the ends disengage. In doing this the metal of which the article is constructed is strained at the bend thereof,

Specification of Letters Patent.

LINGERIE-CLASP.

Patented May 3, 1921.

Application filed January 20, 1921. Serial No. 438,548.

which weakens the resiliency of the metal at this point. A further objection exists in thatv after the locking ends have become disengaged, the edges of the locking ends are inturned primarily to engage each other, but unless deliberately spread at quite a distance the overturned edges operate to engage or snag the fabric of the straps to fasten which they have been engaged. Primarily, the purpose of the present invention is to particularly avoid the objections set forth.

As seen in the drawings clasps when constructed in accordance with the present invention have hook extensions 15. As shown best in Fig. 5, the extensions 15 each extend beyond the medial line of the spring sides 16 and 17 with which they are associated into the path, each of the other. Also it will be observed in said Fig. 5 the extensions 15 are inclined to the perpendicular central planes of the clasp. Sliding surfaces are thereby provided on each of the extensions which operate mutually as cam surfaces for deflecting the said extensions until they pass each other, when direct closure pressure is applied thereto. The resiliency of the body at the bend 18 operates to swing the extensions into locking position without further effort or direction on the part of the operator. When released the extensions are held by the inclined lapped surfaces thereof and by the pressure exerted thereon by the resiliency of the sides 16 and 17.

The more material, within reasonable limits, which is placed between the sides 16 and 1'7, the greater the security of the locked er engaged extensions 15.

When it is desired to release the clasp the operator may move the free ends of the sides 16 and 17 in the direct-ion which releases the extensions 15 from each other. In this operation the inclination of the engaged surfaces cooperate and assist to the end that the extensions easily slide to a position where the resiliency of the sides 16 and 17 and of the bend 18 can spring the said sides open.

As is best shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings the curvature of the sides 17 is sufficient to separate the extensions 15 and 16 so that the material which has been held in the clasp can be easily removed from said clasp endwise thereof. It will also be noted that when the clasp is being drawn from the material or the material is being drawn from the clasp there are no inturned edges or ends to entangle or snag the material forming the shoulder straps, for which these clasps are generally used.

In Figs. (3, 7 and 8, a modified form of the invention is shown. The modification consists in providing the hook-like extensions 19 which are disposed in a plane perpendicular to the central plane of the clasp. The rounded edges 20 of the said extensions operate to deflect each of the said extensions when. and as the same engage during the closure of the opening ends of the clasp. The set of the resilient body or the sides 16 and 17 thereof is such that the extensions 19 are drawn together in clasped relation as shown best in Fig. 8 of the drawings.

Claims.

. 1. An article as characterized comprising a body portion having cooperating clasp sides unlted by a bent resilient portion and having at the free ends outwardly projected hook-like extensions adapted to be mutually engaged when said free ends are pressed together said extensions being disposed in parallel planes, said planes being similarly inclined to the central vertical plane of said article.

2. An article as characterized comprising a body portion having cooperating clasp sides united by a bent resilient portion and having at the free ends outwardly projected hook-like extensions adapted to be mutually engaged when said free ends are pressed together, said extensions having engaging surfaces, said surfaces being inclined to the vertical planes of the body of said article, whereby the pressure of the spring sides maintain the engaged relation of said extensions.

FRANS EDWARD FORSELL. 

